Niger Requests Military Aid to Address Banditry.
The Niger State Government has called upon the Nigerian Army to send troops to communities in the state that are currently besieged by bandits. This request follows a wave of attacks across various local governments, where residents have faced killings and abductions. In many instances, shops were looted and set on fire, exacerbating the already dire situation.
The acting governor of the state, Yakubu Garba, made this urgent appeal during a conversation with reporters while participating in the Fida’u prayer for 13 farmers who lost their lives to bandit attacks in Shiroro Local Government. His remarks highlight the pressing need for military intervention to restore safety in the affected areas.
In Anguwan village, a tragic incident unfolded when farmers were attacked while tending to their fields. Nine farmers were shot dead on the spot, while four others were taken to a different location and murdered. This brutal assault has left the community in shock and mourning.
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Governor Garba emphasized that the recent withdrawal of troops from Allawa and surrounding communities has significantly undermined the government’s efforts to combat insecurity. He expressed concern that without military support, the situation would only worsen, putting more lives at risk.
He appealed to the military to reconsider their withdrawal and return to Allawa and other bandit-prone areas to provide comprehensive security for the predominantly farming population. The governor underscored the importance of military presence in restoring peace and safety to these vulnerable communities.
Garba noted that the Bago-led administration had implemented strategies that had previously improved safety for commuters along key routes in Shiroro council. However, the recent violence has highlighted the fragility of these gains and the urgent need for renewed military support.
A father of one of the victims, Isah Allawa, shared his grief with reporters, revealing that his son, Mubarak Isah, was among those killed. He recounted how the bandits caught the farmers off guard, separating individuals from Allawa and Kagara in Rafi Local Government, which added to the tragedy of the incident.
